Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar El Primero Lapis Lazuli dial leather strap 38 mm

A brief history

While 1969 marked a giant leap for mankind with the first moon landing, it was also a giant leap for watchmaking, thanks to Zenith. After seven years of research, the Manufacture unveiled the El Primero, the first integrated automatic chronograph in history, which also featured a date display and a tachymeter. This was a remarkable achievement in itself, but it was made even more impressive by the caliber's extraordinary precision, beating at an exceptional speed of 36,000 vibrations per hour and accurate to 1/10th of a second. Driven by the boldness that has guided it since its foundation, Zenith pushed the boundaries of its art even further by equipping its caliber, already a true icon of watchmaking, with a triple calendar and a moon phase. In fact, the El Primero had been designed from the outset to accommodate these functions! The name of this caliber, also born in 1969, is El Primero 3019 PHF. In 1970, to validate the concept, the Manufacture produced a series of 25 prototypes housed in the round case of the A386. Zenith acquired one of these at Christie's in May 2012 for CHF 37,500, submitting the winning bid in recognition of its historical importance and perhaps considering the unknown number of the 25 prototypes still in existence!

However, given the success of the basic chronograph version, the brand decided to wait a few years before launching the first El Primero model with a triple calendar, a 1970s watch in a very Space Age style: the Espada, produced from 1971 to 1975! This caliber was then used in the 1980s and 1990s until the early 2020s with the very elegant and classic El Primero Calibre 410 version!

A celestial escape signed ZENITH

Watchmaking was born from humanity's ancestral desire to capture the rhythm of the sky. Since its inception, ZENITH has cultivated this cosmic connection between astronomy and mechanical precision. With the CHRONOMASTER Original Triple Calendar Lapis Lazuli, the Maison pays poetic and technical homage to this universal aspiration. Presented in 2025, this new interpretation of the Chronomaster Original takes us on a celestial journey of rare intensity.

A dial carved from the stars

The eye is immediately drawn to the dial in lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone prized since ancient times for its deep blue color, studded with natural golden pyrite inclusions. Each piece is therefore absolutely unique, its celestial appearance recalling a starry night. This choice of material is no coincidence: it embodies the very essence of ZENITH, whose name refers to the highest point in the sky, the zenith – where dreams of watchmaking excellence shine brightly.

Three silver counters are elegantly positioned on the dial, offering a harmonious contrast to its mineral texture. The full calendar functions are elegantly integrated: the day at 11 o'clock, the month at 2 o'clock, the date at 4:30, and the Lune phases nestled in the counter at 6 o'clock. Each indication is arranged with a clarity that recalls the precise movements of the stars.

A modernized heritage: design and proportions

The 38 mm polished steel case echoes the ideal proportions of the legendary 1969 A386 model, a pillar of Zenith's history. It captivates with its taut lines, tapered lugs, and “pump” pushers, reinforcing the piece's neo-vintage look. Topped with a domed box-shaped sapphire crystal, it combines aesthetic tradition with functional modernity.

The sapphire case back reveals the watchmaking finishes of the El Primero 3610 caliber, whose blue column wheel and openworked rotor adorned with the ZENITH star offer a fascinating mechanical view. This attention to detail contributes to the overall elegance of the piece.

The beating heart of high frequency

Inside beats the El Primero 3610, a contemporary evolution of the first high-frequency automatic chronograph launched in 1969. This version takes precision even further with 1/10th of a second read-out, made possible by a central hand that completes a full rotation in just 10 seconds.

In addition to the chronograph, full calendar and Lune phase functions, the movement features a stop-seconds function for precise time setting and a 60-hour power reserve. It embodies a perfect balance between heritage, innovation and performance.

Everyday elegance with added versatility

The CHRONOMASTER Original Triple Calendar Lapis Lazuli comes with two interchangeable straps:

• A refined and warm blue calfskin strap with a stainless steel folding clasp.
• A steel bracelet with a matching design and also equipped with a folding clasp, for a more contemporary and urban touch.

This versatility enhances the everyday wearability of the piece, which will complement both formal attire and a more casual look.